Air cleaner for spraying machines



April 8, 1952 T. B. KEESLING AIR CLEANER FOR SPRAYING MACHINES 2 SHEETSSHEET 1 Filed 001;. 28, 1947 INVENTOR 76, 4 886)? ATTORNEY April 8, 1952 T. B. KEESLING AIR CLEANER FOR SPRAY ING MACHINES 2 SHEETSSHEET 2 Filed Oct. 28, 1947 y mi INVENTOR 77 A, 44: e \5' 6,4

ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 8, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE AIR CLEANER FOR SPRAYING MACHINES Application October 28, 1947, Serial No. 782,610

11 Claims.

This invention relates to a spraying machine of the general type set forth in the Daugherty application, Ser. No. 639,949 filed January 9, 1946, now Patent No. 2,476,960, issued July 26, 1949 and in the later Daugherty application, Ser. No. 771,970 filed September 3, 1947. In the Daugherty applications there is shown a machine in which an internal combustion engine drives a novel form of air blast creatin means to which is fed an insecticide material that is picked up by the air blast andcarried toward foliage. The internal combustion engine drives not only the air blast creating means but also a pump for supplying spray material to the air blast.

, Those skilled in the art will fully appreciate that'machinesofthe particular. class are required to move through orange groves, orchards, or the like, and therefore through loose dirt or sand. Since a large volume of air is moved by the air blast creating means, it is quite natural that Cit considerable dust will be found in the region of the machine. Therefore, the air intake of the internal combustion engine will operate in an atmosphere filled with material that must be separated therefrom, or otherwise the engine will have an extremely short life.

It is possible to equip the engine. with heavy duty air filters of a type well known in the art, but becausev of the great amount of dust in the air, even a heavy duty air filter will not be completely effective. Moreover, air filters require cleaning, and since machines of the particular class are subjected to utilization over long periods of time during the growing season, it is natural that the air filters are neglected, so that considerable damage results to the engines.

It is the object of my invention to contribute to the art a very simple and effective means for cleaning the air moving toward the air intake of an internal combustion engine in a machine of'the class described.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize the very spray that is moved toward the foliage, for washing and cleansing the air moving to the internal combustion engine. In this way, I obtain cleansed air without actually building into the machine special air cleansing apparatus, other than, of course, very simple guide and passage means, as will shortly appear.

As a further feature of the invention, I arrange to move the air toward the intake of the engine in sucha manner that any dust that is carried past What I shall term the cleansing zone, may be dropped from the air. Also, my air passage means for moving the air to the intake of the engine are so arranged that any droplets of rnois" ture carried by the air from the cleansing zone are predisposed for movement out of the air prior to acceptance by the air intake of the engine.

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception on which my disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a' basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several purposes of my invention within the scope of the claims appended hereto.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is an elevation of a machine of the general class to which I have alluded, and shown and described in detail in the Daugherty application, Ser. No. 771,970, showing my invention embodied therein. Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical section through a portion of the machine illustrated in Fig. 1.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the machine. shown therein utilizes a chassis l0 supported at its opposite sides by wheels ll equipped with tires 12. At the forward end of the chassis there is formed a hitch [3 whereby the machine may be pulled through an orchard, grove, or the like. Centrally of the machine there is supported a tank E4, the right hand end of which is convex, being designated by reference numeral l5 and best shown in Fig. 2. The left hand end of the tank is concave as is best seen in Fig. 2, and is designated by reference numeral It.

At the forward end of the machine there is mounted an internal combustion engine ll equipped with the usual accessories and having a main drive shaft Ila adapted to drive a shaft 18 through a flexible coupling I9. The engine II is also adapted to drive a pump 20 through means of a pulley 2| fixed in a conventional way to the main shaft of the pump, the pulley 2| being rotated by belts 22 extending from a pulley 23 on the main shaft Ila of the engine ll. Pump 29 is adapted to supply spraying material from the tank 14 through a series of pipes, one of which is indicated at 24, leading to circularly extending manifold pipes 25. The manifold pipes 25 have threaded therein a series of spray carryi p p s 26, each of which has a series of spray nozzles 27.

The tank M has extending centrally therethrough a sleeve 28 welded at its ends to the ends l5 and 16 of the tank. The sleeve 28 is generally termed a passage sleeve, since it forms a passage for the shaft l8 so that the shaft may extend through the tank l4 from the internal combustion engine I! to the propeller of the air blast creating means designated by reference numeral 30. Welded to the end I5 of the tank [4 is a sleeve 3| that is termed generally a support sleeve. This support sleeve 3| has welded thereto a circular angular structural member 32 to which is bolted by a series of bolts 33 a somewhat similar circular angular structural member 34. Structural member 34 is secured to the shell 35 of the air blast creating assembly as well illustrated and described in the Daugherty applications referred to, and since it is not per se the invention of this application, it is thought that the mere general description so far presented is adequate. For the purpose of understanding the present invention, it is only necessary to know that the shaft I8 extends into the air blast creating assembly as illustrated in Fig. 2 for operating the propeller 30 shown in dotted lines in Fig. 1 whereby to create an air blast moving in the direction of the arrows A as seen in Fig. 2.

The end surface l5 of the tank [4 has welded thereto, as best seen in Fig. 2, a series of brackets 42 spaced circumferentially thereabout. Each of these brackets 42 in turn has bolted thereto through bolts 43 the flange 44 of a spinning that forms the part 45. Part 45 is a deflector for the air blast generated by the propeller 38 and is adapted to curve inwardly and radially from the brackets 42 toward the shell 35. Obviously, the deflector 45 will direct the air blast radially and outwardly of the machine in a manner which is well described in the earlier Daugherty applications. An auxiliary deflector 46 is positioned in advance of the deflector 45 and assists in the proper deflection of the air blast outwardly and radially of the machine. At this point, it will be well to indicate that so far as I have described the machine shown in the drawings, it is the same as the machine illustrated in the later Daugherty application to which I have referred. I shall now proceed to describe my contribution to the art.

It will be noted that the flange 44 of the deflector 45 lies in spaced relation to the end l5 of the tank [4. Therefore, in the several spaces between the several brackets 42 it is obvious that air will flow into the space between the deflector 45 and the end I5 of the tank. The deflector 45 is so shaped that there is a space between all portions thereof and the end l5 of the tank, whereby air may flow directly toward the support sleeve 3|. The support sleeve 3| is equipped with a series of holes 3|a through which air may flow from the space between the deflector 45 and the end l5 of the tank, inwardly of the support sleeve 31 and there be available for flow into the passage sleeve 28.

Secured to the extreme left end of the passage sleeve 28 is a pipe 50, the open end of which is in communication with the passage sleeve 28 so that air may flow into the pipe. Secured to pipe 58 as by a fitting 5| is a hose 52 that extends to an air intake and cleaner 53 forming a part of the internal combustion engine [1. A plate 54 is positioned at the extreme left end of the passage sleeve 28 and forms a bafile so that air will flow generally toward the pipe 50. However, plate 54 does not close the entire end of the passage sleeve 28 so that actually air may flow outwardly of the passage sleeve 28, and downwardly relatively to the end 16 of the tank I4.

The flexible coupling I9 is formed with a sleeve 55 adapted for splined relationship with the shaft Ila, as is clearly shown in Fig. 2. Formed integrally with the sleeve 55 is a fan designated generally by reference numeral 56, and having a series of blades 51. This fan is so placed that it rotates with shafts Ila, I8 and effects a flow of the air in the direction of the arrows B in Fig. 2 toward the left hand end of the passage sleeve 28, and into the pipe 58.

It is now rather clear that air will flow toward the air intake and cleaner 53 of the internal combustion engine I! in the general direction of the arrows C, D into the support sleeve 3 I, and thence in the direction of the arrows B to the passage sleeve 28, and then under the influence of the fan 56 into the pipe 58, the hose 52, and to the internal combustion engine. It will further be noted that this air, if taken into the machine in the direction of arrow C, must fiow through a zone Z in which spraying material moves because of the flow of the air blast relatively to the nozzles 21. Therefore, the air moving toward the air intake is actually washed by the spray material moving from the machine. As this air, after being washed, moves through the relatively horizontal passage sleeve 28, any moisture therein will, of course, have a tendency to drop downwardly to the bottom of the passage sleeve 28 and to flow then through one end of the said sleeve and outwardly of the machine. Also, since the air moving through the passage sleeve 28 will move at a relatively slow speed, any particles of dust that may still remain in the air will drop downwardly and out of the air stream. The fan 58 through its blades 51 will, of course, tend to create a flow of air toward the intake of the engine, but no high pressures may be developed because there is a provision for the disposition of the surplus air through the left hand open end v of the sleeve 28.

I believe it will now be very clear that I utilize in my invention the basic structure found in the Daugherty applications, and that by the mere provision of but a very few inexpensive and simple means, I solve a long-standing problem in a most effective manner.

I now claim:

1. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, a spray nozzle, means for effecting the flow of spray material out of said nozzle, means for directing the spray material toward foliage to be sprayed, and structural means creating an air passage connected at one end to air intake and at the other with the zone in which said spray material is flowing whereby the air accepted by said intake is effectively washed by said spraying material.

2. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, a spray forming mechanism, means for effecting the flow of spray material out of said spray forming mechanism toward foliage to be sprayed, and structural means creating an air passage connected at one end to said air intake and at the other end with the zone in which said spray material is flowing whereby the air accepted by said intake is effectively washed by said spraying material.

3. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, a spray nozzle, means for effecting the flow of spray material out of said nozzle toward foliage to be sprayed, structural means creating'an. air passage connected at one end to said airintake and at'the other end with the zone in which spraying material is flowing whereby the air accepted by said intake: is effectively washed by said. spraying material, and means for. separating spraying material from the air flowing between said zone and said internal combustion engine.

4. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, a spray nozzle, means for effecting the flow of spray material out of said nozzle toward foliage to be sprayed, structural means creating an air passage connected at one end to said air intake and at its other end with the zone in which said spray material is flowing whereby the air accepted by said intake is effectively washed by said spraying. material, and said air passage for said air having a relatively horizontal portion in. which. said air has separated therefrom any spraying material it may carry therewith from the spray zone.

5. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, an air blast creating means, means connecting said internal combustion engine with said air blast creating means for driving said air blast creating means, a series of spaced spray nozzles, means for feeding spray material from said nozzles for acceptance by the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means, and structural means creating an air passage connected at one end to said air intake and at its other end with a zone in which spraying material is flowing with said air blast whereby the air flowing to said air intake is effectively washed by passage through said spraying material.

6. In a spraying machine of the class described, an internal combustion engine equipped with an air intake, an air blast creating means, a shaft means connecting said internal combustion engine with said air blast creating means for driving said air blast creating means, a spray nozzle, means for feeding spray material from said nozzle for acceptance by the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means, a sleeve surrounding said shaft means, means of communication between one end of said sleeve and the air intake of said internal combustion engine, and means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and a zone in which spraying material is flowing with said air blast whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intake is effectively washed by said spraying material.

7. In a spraying machine of the class described, a cylindrical tank, an internal combustion engine on one side of the tank having an air intake, an air blast creating means at the other end of the tank, a sleeve in the longitudinal axis of the tank and welded to the ends thereof to form a through central passage in said tank, shaft means extending through said sleeve from said internal combustion engine to said air blast creating means, a series of spaced spray nozzles. means for feeding spray material from said nozzles for acceptance by the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means, means of communication between one end of said sleeve and the air intake of said internal combustion engine, and means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and a zone in which spraying material is flowing with said air blast whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intake is effectively washed by passage through said spraying material.

8. In a spraying machine of the class described, a. cylindrical tank, an internal combustion engine on one side of the tank having an air intake, an air blast creating means at the other end of the tank; a sleeve positioned longitudinallyin the tank and weldedto the ends thereof to form a throughpassage' in said tank, shaft means extending through said sleeve from said internal combustion engine to said air'blast' creating means, a series of spaced spray nozzles, means for feeding spray material from said nozzles for acceptance by the blast of air developed bysaid air blast creating means, means of communication between one end of said sleeve and the air intake of said internal combustion engine, means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and a zone in which spraying material is flowing with said air blast whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intakeis effectively washed by said spraying material, and fan mean's rotatable with said shaft means for imparting movement of air through said sleeve and toward said air intake.

9. In a spraying machine of the class described, a cylindrical tank, an internal combustion engine on one side of the tank having an air intake, an air blast creating means at the other end of the tank, a sleeve positioned longitudinally in the tank and welded to the ends thereof to form a through passage in said tank, shaft means extending through said sleeve from said internal combustion engine to said air blast creating means, a ring-like deflector between said air blast creating means and one end of the tank having an inner air blast guiding surface, a series of spray nozzles positioned about the periphery of said deflector, means for feeding spray material from said nozzles into the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means and flowing as directed by said. deflector, a space between the outer surface of said deflector and said tank opening into the zones in which spray is fed to said air blast, said space communicating also with one end of said sleeve, and means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and said air intake whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intake is effectively washed by passage first through said spraying material.

10. In a spraying machine of the class described, a cylindrical tank, an internal combustion engine on one side of the tank having an air intake, an air blast creating means at the other end of the tank, a sleeve positioned longitudinally of the tank and welded to the ends thereof to form a through passage in said tank, shaft means extending through said sleeve from said internal combustion engine to said air blast creating means, a ring-like deflector between said air blast creating means and one end of the tank having an inner curved air blast guiding surface, a series of spray nozzles positioned about the periphery of said deflector, means for feeding spray material from said nozzles into the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means and flowing as directed by said deflector, a space between the outer surface of said deflector and said tank opening into the zones in which spray is fed to said air blast, said space communicating also with one end of said sleeve, means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and said air intake whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intake is effectively washed by passage first through said spraying material, and fan means rotatable with said shaft means for imparting movement air through said sleeve and toward said air intake.

11. In a spraying machine of the class described, a cylindrical tank, an internal combustion engine on one side of the tank having an air intake, an air blast creating means at the other end of the tank, a sleeve positioned longitudinally in the tank and welded to the ends thereof to form a through central passage in said tank, shaft means extending through said sleeve from said internal combustion engine to said air blast creating means, a series of spaced spray nozzles, means for feeding spray material from said nozzles into the blast of air developed by said air blast creating means, means of communication between one end of said sleeve and the air intake of said internal combustion engine, means of communication between the other end of said sleeve and a zone in which spraying material is flowing with said air blast whereby the air flowing into said sleeve and to said air intake 8 is effectively washed by passage through said spraying material, a fan secured for rotation with said shaft means at that end of said sleeve'leading to said internal combustion engine, and an escape opening between said fan and air intake to prevent the development of high pressures by said fan.

THOMAS B. KEESLING.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,452,231 Wells Apr. 1'7, 1923 1,465,828 Pate Aug. 21, 1923 1,525,348 Wesner Feb. 3, 1925 1,568,722 Campbell Jan. 5, 1926 1,890,107 Bowman Dec. 6, 1932 2,424,468 Keathley July 22, 1947 

